Justification: We don't have gcf files for EP2, and mods just don't seem to access vpk files, even when you tell them to. Now move the folder into %ProgramFiles(x86)%\steam\steamapps\sourcemods\ Select all files and folders in GCFScape.exe and drag them into the directory. Make a folder on your desktop called ep2_pak_dir. How: Open GCFScape.exe > Open > Choose %ProgramFiles(x86)%\steam\steamapps\common\half-life 2\ep2\ep2_pak_dir.vpk. (3) Extract all the content of Episode 2's vpk files. Justification: It will make sure all your files are intact, and might ask you to convert them to a more efficient format (vpk). (2) Play Half Life 2, Episode 1 and Episode 2 One after the other, just so that the first level comes up. Justification: Make sure everything is updated, corrected, converted.
How: Library > Right Click on Half Life 2 > Properties > Local Files tab > Verify integrity of game files. (1) Force update Half life 2, Episode 1, Episode 2, Source SDK 2007. I've justified each step, so you can form a new theory, in case this doesn't work for you. I bought Episode 2, late last year when it was on offer, and hence I have only the vpk files. I thought I got an amazing deal in Game (haha now defunct) in the UK, whereby it was the holiday 2006 edition, which included Half Life 2, Episode 1, Half Life Source! Now I've been getting a lot of problems running mods, even recent ones, and I think it might be that I am missing the gcf files for Episode 2. I bought Half Life 2 about 2 weeks before orange box was released. Problem: Checkered patterns and Error appearing in mods, and other miscellaneous errors, in-game.